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Tag Archives: John Paul II

Animals are an important part of my life, and I’ve been waiting for an appropriate occasion to write about this topic. Since today (October 4) is the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, this is probably about as good an opportunity as I will get. Saint Francis is the patron saint of animals (among many other patronages), and most artwork and iconography we see of Saint Francis involves the presence of animals. I have something of a (very) soft Continue reading Saint Francis and Our Relationship With Animals→

Happy October – Month of the Most Holy Rosary! Whether you’re looking to get started with praying the rosary, or simply want a refresher on how to pray the rosary as contemplative prayer, you’ve come to the right place. From the origins of the rosary, to instructions for praying, we’ve got you covered. Throughout the month of October, we will keep a special place in our sidebar dedicated to these articles to make them easy for you to find and Continue reading Month of the Most Holy Rosary→

This is the sixth and final article in a series focusing on the rosary. You will find links to the other articles in this series at the end of this article. The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary: An Overview Of the four sets of mysteries contemplated during the praying of the rosary, the glorious mysteries are the conclusion of the cycle of prayers. While you are free to pray whichever set of mysteries you choose at any time (and I Continue reading Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary→

This is the fourth article in a series of six focusing on the rosary. You will find links to the other articles in this series at the end of this article. The Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary: An Overview In the past decade or so, we have experienced a lot of unusual circumstances in the Church: the resignation of a pope and the election of a Jesuit pope from the Americas, to name a few. The luminous mysteries of the Continue reading Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary→

I’ve been around rosaries so long that I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that “rosary” was one of the first words I ever spoke. I’ve always been a fan of sacramentals in general, and rosaries in particular. I still have the rosary I made in the first grade with aquamarine colored plastic beads and knotted together with white string. I also have the rosary I was given by the Knights of Columbus after my Confirmation in the 5th grade. These Continue reading The Rosary: An Introduction→

Today is the feast day of St. Maximilian Kolbe. Born in Poland, St. Maximilian was a brilliant theologian with an intense devotion to Mary Immaculate. He and his Franciscan friars spread his Militia of the Immaculata employing the most modern means of printing and circulation available in order to ‘win the world for the Immaculata.’ (Because of this, St. Maximilian is the patron of media communication and journalists.) It was ultimately the spreading of this message that would cause him Continue reading St. Maximilian Kolbe – Martyr of Charity→

Last week we opened a poll that asked our readers, “Who is your favorite pope of the past century?” Although “voter turnout” was low, the people have spoken. According to the readers of Catholic Majority, Blessed Pope John XXIII was chosen as your favorite pope. Second place was a two-way tie between Blessed Pope John Paul II and current holder of the office, Pope Francis! Honorable mention goes to Pope Leo XIII, who despite having just missed the “within the Continue reading Catholic Majority Names John XXIII Favorite Pope!→

I didn’t mean to commit a crime, let alone one of “the most abominable of crimes.” Luckily, the first three words in the definition of simony according to most Catholic sources are “a deliberate intention,” so I’m good, right? Well… in the midst of my simoniacal spree, I learned what I was doing, and I did it anyway. Also, canon law 1190:1 is pretty clear: “It is absolutely forbidden to sell sacred relics.” So, I’m guilty as charged. (If this upsets you, Continue reading Confessions of a Simonist: Relics & Simony→

Light is one of two key words in Pope Francis’s first encyclical, Lumen Fidei. (The other word, faith, is covered beautifully in Adam’s article here.) The encyclical itself is a beautiful, illuminating document, and I encourage anyone interested in learning more about faith to read it in its entirety. Although technically considered Pope Francis’s first encyclical, potential readers should make no mistake about it: This encyclical was written almost entirely by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Having just finished reading and A School of Continue reading Light: A Reflection on Lumen Fidei→

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